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Having a uterus is expensive. A Huffington Post article estimates that the average woman spends roughly $6,700 throughout her lifetime on feminine care products alone. Those statistics don’t include the “pink tax,”which is applied to products such as razors, hair products, and apparel. All products included in the taxed are comparable to products that are produced for a male audience.

USA Today conducted a study that revealed women pay almost 7% more than men just because of the gender appeal of the product. Another additional cost that comes with having a uterus, depending upon one’s insurance, is an annual gynecological exam that costs roughly $200.

From the beginning of a female’s life, she is bombarded with costs directly associated with her gender. The lack of education about women’s health and products is worrisome. Women are not being taught about their bodies, which is not only denting their wallets, but contributing to the political and social controversy that surrounds women’s issues.

In addition to those costs, Huffington Post also estimates that the average woman spends $11,400 on birth control throughout her lifetime. Pills range from $20-$60 per month, meaning that annually a woman could be spending anywhere from $240-$720 per year. The price may seem small, but considering that the cost of birth control should be non-existent, it is significant.

Recent requirements that the Trump administration has issued could cut-off access to birth control for American women, but also increase the price. President Trump plans on making it up to employers on whether or not they want to provide their employees with birth control. With the new requirement, companies are encouraged to take into account religious and moral beliefs when making the decision on providing birth control.

That means that the average woman taking birth control (sixty-two percent of women in the U.S. to be exact) spends about $33,700 out of pocket on health-related products throughout their lifetime.

Contrary to many preconceived notions, birth control is not just for sexual freedom and to prevent unplanned pregnancies. A recent viral video produced by social media company ATTN depicts actress Sophia Bush explaining statistics about birth control. With over 100,000 retweets, the video sheds light on why birth control needs to be considered basic health care.

The video was targeted at educating the Twitter community of the actual uses of birth control, highlighting the fact that 71% of lawmakers in the United States are male. Although sympathy is encouraged and welcomed, males cannot understand the side effects that come with having a uterus. Therefore, women’s healthcare shouldn’t be their decision. However, it continues to still be dictated by males. That must change.

“Male lawmakers should have a say, but I believe there should be an equal amount of women’s opinions taken into account, if not more. It is mainly a female’s choice to take birth control so they will know the importance of it,” junior Dheeraj Peddinti said.

Contrary to the government’s beliefs, many females and activists believe that there should be no male involvement when making the decision on birth control.

“Males don’t know what menstrual cramps feel like, or the other pains that come with having a period. If one pill can help with acne, cramps, and prevent unplanned pregnancies, I don’t think male lawmakers should determine whether or not I can have access to that medication,” senior Maggie Harter said.

After conducting a quick Google search, one can discover that birth control has at least eight different purposes. Some include: regulating one’s menstrual cycle, reducing acne, regulating hormone levels (treating conditions such as depression and anxiety), and relieving menstrual pain. After searching the purpose of the “male equivalent” to birth control, Viagra, one can find three indefinite uses. The drug can cure erectile dysfunction, improve self-confidence and lower blood pressure in the arteries and lungs.

Webmd statistics show that the majority of Viagra users are not of the reproductive age. The prime reproductive age ranges from 12-49 years of age. Most Viagra users are 60 years old and above. Not to discredit Viagra as a useful medication, but it is not comparable to birth control. Birth control is NOT only for sexual freedom or reproduction.

Birth control not being considered basic health care is simply ridiculous. Being denied the access to a pill that has so many different uses for females adds to the continuous taboo that surrounds women’s health care. Once America’s lawmakers start accepting that women’s health should not be as complicated an issue as they have made it out to be, only then can women start to feel like their voices are being heard.

Girl Talk is a platform where we talk about girls, not for girls. Join the conversation.

Kennedy Homan is a person of many different problems. She likes ducks too much, she throws stuffed animals at people in school, and she has no social life...

92 Comments

92 Responses to “Birth control is basic healthcare. Period.”

Lauren on
November 29th, 2017 12:32 pm

Regardless of your political stance, I think this is an issue that everybody can recognize is pressing; being born a woman shouldn’t inherently increase your living expenses; it’s absurd.

Margaret on
November 29th, 2017 1:26 pm

This is great! I love that it shows a new side on current issues outside of school! I would love to see more segments regarding this.

darkstripe on
November 29th, 2017 1:41 pm

Metea Media articles that are relevant and important!?! Thank you!
(also on another note there’s women out there that need birth control to survive, so yeah it needs to be covered)

Rose Ted on
November 30th, 2017 8:32 am

So you finally decided to pay attention to our feed.

прямой белый самец on
November 30th, 2017 9:08 am

so who should cover it? when you place the cost of birth control for one woman ($33700) cant simply be blown off and placed on someone else. after all, birth control is just like viagra, a want, not a need so it should be covered by each individual person, also there are plenty of off the shelve pain depressants like Advil and Aleve to soothe your pain (which also costs significantly less at only $21 for a box of 300 pills) and for the other uses of birth control like acne (acne cream) and hormone levels (change in diet) those are easy fixes. so please, don’t make others pay for your comfort

:/ on
November 30th, 2017 4:21 pm

I disagree with everything you said but your most laughable point is that a change in diet is going to fix your hormone levels. I’m not denying that there is merit to that, but eating more vegetables isn’t going to help ease depression and anxiety the way birth control can.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:10 am

cough cough, the things you put in your body can change your life monumentally
my mother is a dietician and the way you eat changes mental and physical ability, what you put in your body alters the way you think and perform. If all you do is put gluten and processed wheat into your body you will feel tired, and being tired makes people sad, so eating higher quality food will not cure depression, but i will certaintly help it

darkstripe on
December 4th, 2017 5:47 pm

@the Russian-named person
did you know that hormone imbalances not caused by diet and caused by (wow it’s a thing) genetic disorders? isn’t that neat?
changing my diet isn’t going to solve my PMDD, thank you very much.

but does anything other then pain need to be regulated? (even then there are some iron girls out there who tough through the pain) and that’s aside from the bigger problem, whos gonna pay for the birth control?

darkstripe on
December 1st, 2017 2:23 pm

“who’s gonna pay for birth control”
well if we had a better tax plan, tax would be regulated so rich people have to pay more. ergo we get more tax money, ergo your problem is solved

прямой белый самец on
December 4th, 2017 12:37 pm

WE ALREADY DO THAT

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 8:04 am

Did you not read the article, Russian-named, most likely male classmate? As a young woman myself, I can second the section where it talks about the pain of being born a female. Menstrual cramps are extremely disabling and can be a problem for some women for longer than the usual week. Female birth control, again, is not simply for preventing conception. Viagra for men, however, is. The reason “off the shelve (shelf)” medications are so cheap and widely available is the fact that they aren’t as strong as prescribed medications and work much differently. Some cases of acne and raging hormones are more serious than others and aren’t “easy fixes”.

Think of a cold. Some colds are weak, only lasting a day or two. Others, however, may turn into the flu, which is so strong, simple cold medicines won’t work. At that point, you’d need to go to the doctor and get a medication to feel better. This isn’t much different.

darkstripe on
December 1st, 2017 2:15 pm

^ 100% agree with Henna there

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 5:53 pm

1. what does me being male have to do with it? ( btw if you translated you’ll find the whole enchilada)
2. I couldn’t care less about what birth control does or who buys it, but I do have a big problem with whos going to pay for it, the individual, or everyone else
3. we’re teens, I don’t think anything gonna help the raging hormones *sarcasm*
4. I care less about viagra then I do birth control
5. anything is easy if you put your mind to it

Pete Read on
December 13th, 2017 10:14 am

Unfortunately these arguments can’t be won with any logic-based counter argument. The structure to the text is essentially that of those promoting Communism. “Just think about how nice it sounds” they say. It truly is frightening to see so many students willingly flocking to defend such poorly constructed and invalid arguments. A large portion of this article is based on the Pink Tax, which I have already discussed on its individual page, so I will not bother to write a counter argument regarding this similar article. I’m thankful other students are willing to speak up about unpopular opinions on such pandering arguments.

Logical Person on
December 1st, 2017 11:25 am

My tax dollars should not go to you because you decided to do lewd acts at a young age. A pack of condoms is $5 if you can’t afford that, you can’t afford to take the risk of having a child, if you do don’t expect my tax money to fund your abortion.

Moderately Literate Individual on
December 4th, 2017 8:42 am

DID YOU READ THE ARTICLE? The article is not asking for nor referencing any form of usage of your tax dollars to pay for birth control. The article is in response to a mandate issued by the sitting president which once again allows employers to refuse to offer insurance coverage which includes birth control to their employees. A mandate which directly countermands an Obama-era mandate that had no, I repeat, no effect on the flow of your tax dollars. In fact the only negative effect associated with the original mandate were the years spent in litigation with individuals such as yourself who managed to be so thoroughly offended that they wasted both the governments money and time merely to gain nothing. I This is not about state-funded birth control or state-funded insurance, it is about regulation on employment benefits. I struggle to find the “logic” in you and others like you bringing up your ever-important tax dollars when nobody was seeking to touch your tax dollars. As if your pathetic contribution of what I am going to guess is 200 dollars after returns is going to affect anything.

Metea Media Reader on
November 29th, 2017 8:38 pm

If you really would like the low-cost (practically free) alternative abstinence is the most logical path. Myself being raised Christian I was told that sex should wait till after marriage this being said if you’d like to take religion out of the argument then abstinence is still very logical path to take it prevents many issues that may arise after becoming pregnant while also mitigating the costs involved with being a female.

darkstripe on
November 30th, 2017 9:23 am

did you read the article at all
did you see what it said about birth control
as I quote
“After conducting a quick Google search, one can discover that birth control has at least eight different purposes. Some include: regulating one’s menstrual cycle, reducing acne, regulating hormone levels (treating conditions such as depression and anxiety), and relieving menstrual pain. After searching the purpose of the “male equivalent” to birth control, Viagra, one can find three indefinite uses. The drug can cure erectile dysfunction, improve self-confidence and lower blood pressure in the arteries and lungs.”
so yeah abstinence isn’t going to help you regulate your menstrual cycle

Ellie Heney on
November 30th, 2017 12:04 pm

Did you read the article? because it doesnt seem like it. Your statement does not take in all aspects that is CLEARLY represented in the article. No ones coming at your beliefs of abstinent. I for one am an abstinent teen who is taking birth control for the regulation of my hormones. Birth control does not only used to prevent unplanned pregnancy, it does much much more. Your response is in fact incorect.

Moderately Literate Individual on
November 30th, 2017 12:39 pm

Did you even bother to read the article in its entirety or did you just see the title and elect to comment your opinion? The article has 3 paragraphs explaining the uses of birth control beyond that of actual “birth control” and yet you managed to immediately conclude that it’s only value was in preventing pregnancy and said pregnancy’s inherent cost. Not to mention the fact that the article mentions other costs of being a female not associated with being pregnant.In addition I am quite curious in what way you suppose remaining abstinent mitigates the cost of tampons and other feminine hygiene products? Women at or past the age of puberty who have not yet reached menopause will have their cycle regardless of whether or not they are sexually active I mean hell in case you haven’t noticed the only natural way, or as”God Intended” if you would prefer, for women to stop their menstrual periods before menopause is by getting pregnant. In conclusion until you have actually read and fully comprehended the article I ask that you please request a change to the name you listed yourself as, from “Metea Media Reader” to “Metea Media Skimmer” or some other suitable alternative.
THANKS!!

Red Herring on
November 30th, 2017 1:53 pm

Well first off, religion is a choice, and this choice should have no bounds to be discriminating against, that is your choice/ beliefs and i (as should all) respect that. Having said that, the choice to be sexually active is a choice that, like religion, one can participate or abstain from. In the case of abstinence, it’s ones choice and should be respected, regardless of your views, beliefs, etc, or their’s.

ugh on
November 30th, 2017 4:24 pm

That’s like telling someone “to avoid breaking your arm, don’t do any physical activity ever!!!” If you completely forget about the fact that birth control does a plethora of things other than prevent pregnancy (like you did in your comment) it’s still ridiculous to tell people to abstain from something that’s a normal part of life.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:14 am

oof, they had quite the field day on you
but yes you have a good point for part of the problem

curious on
December 5th, 2017 7:51 am

Just wondering, but what is your name? You have such bold views and things to say, I wonder if you are just being bold behind a screen?…..

прямой белый самец on
December 8th, 2017 12:08 pm

how is this relevant to what we’re talking about?

Chris on
November 29th, 2017 9:26 pm

I’m fine with making the taxes equal for both sides, actually I’m all for that. The only problem I have with this is that birth control should not be a right. It should clearly be a privilege since if the government were to pay for it, then they would have to get the money from somewhere. And that somewhere would be the hardworking Americans tax dollars. I just don’t think that the rest of America should have to pay for your late night mistakes. By the way, I really support you guys posting about wider political issues, instead of just in school issues.

darkstripe on
November 30th, 2017 9:30 am

concept: tax the rich people who don’t work as hard as the lower classes so it can go towards the government being able to pay for things like birth control
the family behind walmart could stand to lose some money so the government can pay for birth control don’t you think

Work Ethic on
December 1st, 2017 8:51 am

So what you are saying is basically take money away from people. I assume that you are a fellow student and don’t have a job. The government already takes a lot of money, not just your paycheck but also property tax, sales tax, and etc. Almost everything is taxed.

“tax the rich people who don’t work as hard”

This is such an ignorant statement. Most rich people had to work extremely hard to be successful. Even if they didn’t ‘work hard’ how are you going to be able to determine if they did, you don’t know what they sacrificed.

Mary on
December 1st, 2017 10:46 am

America is capitalist, sorry. That’s why the US is so successful. You want equality but will charge people more based on occupation or history. Birth control is not an emergency or a huge problem in the US. If I’m not using birth control, I shouldn’t have to pay for anyone else’s. I’d want to help people who are actually, in need.

Chris on
December 1st, 2017 11:12 am

yeah, see the rich already pay about 74% of the taxes in the U.S. So i think that we should maybe start taxing McDonald’s workers who are living off of welfare.

Dusty Dindu on
December 4th, 2017 9:21 am

Amen

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:16 am

1. are you implying taxing rich more than the poor?
2. if so that’s communist
3. the family behind Walmart worked for Walmart and the ability to give food to millions
4. pay for your own commodity

Logical Person on
December 1st, 2017 11:32 am

WOW!!! Its almost like that’s what the US government already does… WAIT, it IS what the government does how unbelievable!!! Then we are going to assume that lower class families work harder than upper class families? last time I checked medical school was a lot harder than throwing some nuggets in a fryer.

Chris on
December 5th, 2017 10:41 am

I love how the unemployed Highschool student says the rich don’t work as hard as the lower classes.

Ellie Heney on
November 30th, 2017 1:46 pm

Late night mistake? That is disrespectful to woman everywhere, men are never shunned upon for their”late night mistakes” truly shameful that this is the mindset of some of our students. Close minded to stay the least.

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 8:08 am

I completely agree. Think about what’s been going on in Hollywood lately. Women being sexually assaulted and raped and it’s not their fault in the slightest. “Last night mistakes” are just as much the mens’ fault as the womens’, maybe more so. That’s exactly why so many teenage moms are single. Guys always run from their problems, more often than not leaving their ex-girlfriends in the dust. So don’t act like “last night mistakes” are all on the girls.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:18 am

Are you kidding? men get excommunicated from their families if they have an accident
also, this comment is aside from the question of who is going to pay for the birth control

Caleb on
December 7th, 2017 6:34 pm

I would be ashamed of any person who robs another of their money for 18 years, or have the legal choice to kill their partners child because they have the right. Mothers are favored so much in the us court system.

Fellow Student (Who does have a job) on
December 4th, 2017 9:19 am

Concept: Everyone reads the article and is politically and sociologically aware enough to grasp that the article is not suggesting nor supporting tax fund diversion but instead merely responding to a recently issued govt. mandate.

The Voice of Reason on
November 30th, 2017 8:51 am

“many females and activists believe that there should be no male involvement when making the decision on birth control.” See that right there is discrediting and discriminating a males opinion based on the fact that he’s male. See that’s totally ok but yet If a male were to discredit a females opinion because she’s female that particular male would get lynched by “Freedom of speech and equality-seeking” Feminists.

See my point?

Ellie Heney on
November 30th, 2017 12:06 pm

does a male have a uterus? does a male ever experience menstrual pain or cycle or know the effects of birth control? no. I would never put my input into Viagra

Red Herring on
November 30th, 2017 1:55 pm

rt

Anonymous on
November 30th, 2017 11:09 pm

Do you realize you have just handed him a real-life, true example and proved him all the more correct? By discrediting him because he doesn’t have the same body parts and cycles of a woman, you have quite literally done what he is fearing and tried to stifle him just because he’s a different gender, handing a demo of what he’s talking about right to him. That’s called undermining your own position, and honestly it will only get you nowhere.

Ellie Heney on
December 1st, 2017 9:28 am

okay what? Men not having a uterus is not sexist but a fact. Women are never one to decide if viagra is covered by insurance or not. With viagra only having 3 benefits compared to birth controls 8. Birth control is used much more for sexual freedom. So sit down, your points invalid.

Anonymous on
December 2nd, 2017 12:11 am

There you go, doing it once again. You have just fallen into the exact same trap I pointed out to you, like a bear walking into the exact same bear trap the exact same way twice in a row. You are playing into the hands of your political opponent by literally proving what they say is true, and alienating potential supporters with it. Telling someone to shut up just because they disagree with you and are different from you invites someone comparing you to a violent fascist who beats up anyone who disagrees with them, and if you want any moderate or opposition to listen to you, you absolutely need to stay well clear of that. It makes your side appear extreme and far-out, and by doing that provides those firmly against birth control a way to defame you and boost themselves. Take my advice if you like, but I can guarantee that yowling at people for being different is only going to make them bunker down and plug their ears.

Caleb on
December 7th, 2017 6:49 pm

besides the point you undermined him. Its also a fact that men work 99 percent of all the hard dirty jobs in the US, yet I wouldn’t say women don’t understand anything about hard work, would I? The way you’re contradicting yourself is making me feel pain. I think I need birth control.

? on
November 30th, 2017 4:29 pm

no one can see your point because you don’t have one. Did… did you not read the entire section of the article explaining that because men do not experience female reproductive issues, it is ridiculous for them to weigh in on these issues? this metaphor is somewhat of a stretch, but would you want an electrician weighing in on your brain surgery? It just doesn’t make sense.

The Woman on
December 1st, 2017 9:30 am

You… you just proved their point…

“You don’t have to be the thing to explain or understand the thing. For example;
– A historian doesn’t need to be Asian to know about the history of Asia.
– A geologist doesn’t need to be a rock to explain how they are formed.
– You don’t have to be a Nazi to know Nazi ideologies.
– You don’t have to be a rapist to know what rape is.”

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:21 am

does someone have to be female to do a “quick google search” on menstrual pain?
no, no they do not

? on
December 5th, 2017 8:44 am

I don’t want men who have just done a “quick google search” making life-altering decisions about my healthcare and access to birth control.

The Woman on
December 6th, 2017 7:02 am

“You don’t have to be the thing to explain or understand the thing. For example;
– A historian doesn’t need to be Asian to know about the history of Asia.
– A geologist doesn’t need to be a rock to explain how they are formed.
– You don’t have to be a Nazi to know Nazi ideologies.
– You don’t have to be a rapist to know what rape is.”

64% of men are gynecologists. I’m pretty sure that they do more research than you do.

darkstripe on
December 6th, 2017 3:56 pm

I don’t want to be hearing about whatever men do with their privates, it should be the same vice versa. That’s my opinion in this matter

прямой белый самец on
December 8th, 2017 7:13 am

well when you bring your “private parts” into governmental cases and want us to pay for “your private parts” it kinda becomes a problem for everyone

Chris on
November 30th, 2017 9:05 am

And who do you propose pays for all of this free birth control? The United States government? because if so that would be millions of extra taxpayer dollars that go to something that isn’t really a necessity for survival but instead a Luxury for women only. I fell that it would be far wiser to put that money into our defence budgets to keep EVERYONE safe. or into food for the homeless so EVERYONE can eat. Or affordable housing so EVERYONE can have a home. yeah sure your stomach will occasionally cramp and you will have some discomfort for a week. But tell me. Is that temporary pain worse than starving on the cold streets of Chicago? Or getting shot in a war because a bunch of girls just wanted to slightly alleviate their temporary issues? No. No, it’s not.

All in all, we have better and worse things to worry about then the slight inconvenience to SOME girls who just want their luxuries for free.

darkstripe on
November 30th, 2017 3:15 pm

“a luxury item” i’ve known of people who’ve had to be sent to the emergency room due to their periods. i’ve known of people who need birth control to not be in nerve-wracking pain for a week every month. i’ve known of people who could possibly die if they didn’t receive birth control.
luxury item? that’s viagra, my man

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 8:13 am

I second this with all my being. Just gonna leave this here.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:28 am

if you want to bring in pain to the conversation, there are thousands of pain depressants on the market (some of which are much cheaper then birth control), again it boils down to the same thing, birth control and viagra are both WANTS, not NEEDS

p.s (got your back Chris)
-Eli

darkstripe on
December 6th, 2017 3:53 pm

idk man, those people being sent to the emergency room over their periods aren’t going to magically get better with a couple of advils

прямой белый самец on
December 8th, 2017 7:18 am

Advil isn’t the all over cure, it is an all over pain depressant so it wont get rid of the pain but it will soothe it to an extent

? on
November 30th, 2017 4:35 pm

You literally just said that people get shot in war because girls want free birth control. please check yourself. your argument of “people have it worse” is beyond ridiculous. Maybe we should just give all our money to starving kids in Somalia, because they have it worse then the homeless! And by the way, the homeless are still homeless in America. People are still starving. So obviously taxpayer money isn’t going there either. and literally no one said we should take money from the homeless and buy birth control with it. You just made that up for some reason.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 11:32 am

yourself, living in America (cough the best nation cough) wouldn’t understand people who have it worse because many people have it much worse, and he didn’t say people get shot in war because girls want birth control he was connecting how both cost money and the thing that is more valuable and more expensive is war, so lets place our money on that instead, especially if its the government paying

p.s got your back again Chris
-eli

darkstripe on
December 1st, 2017 2:10 pm

the fact that you have america listed as “the best nation” when you’re talking makes you seem rather snide and immature. just some advice: saying something is “the best” and ending it there doesn’t help your side of the debate.
anyway you seem to be concerned about money here first and foremost. again, try the solution of “make people pay different taxes based on their wealth so the rich will pay more and the government will get no money”. therefore we can pay for both war and birth control. also birth control costs far less compared to war so it’s really quite a bad comparison.

прямой белый самец on
December 5th, 2017 8:06 am

AGAIN, wee already tax the rich more then we do the middle class, significantly at that, but you don’t have America listed as the best nation even though its given you everything you have? would you prefer to live in a war-torn country dictated by someone who doesn’t even know what they’re talking about? The fact that you have taken every benefit in this country for granted makes me sick to my stomach and you should start acknowledging that America really is the best, running water, readily available transport, and a stable government that actually listens to its people is not something most countries have, so be grateful

Chris on
December 5th, 2017 10:50 am

Madam, you really don’t have very much of a grasp on how much the rich are taxed.
For example, my grandfather owns two hotel groups, a hotel supply company, a chain of banks and many many shares of companies on the stock market. And he makes a lot of money. But you wanna know what percentage goes to taxes?
25%
25% of his yearly hard earned money goes to the government to pay taxes for unemployed people like you.
And I’d be willing to bet that 25% is more than most newly employed people MAKE let alone pay in taxes.
Ergo I’m not going to support the idea of him having his taxes raised just because some girls want to deprive him of money and luxuries so they can get their own for free.
(P.S sorry for being that kid who brings wealth into it)

Mary on
November 30th, 2017 10:26 am

Birth control is not a right, but a privilege. It is a moral decision. People consent to having sex, they must consider the results that could happen because of doing so. They should not expect the government to pay for birth control. However, I agree with you that if a female wants to purchase birth control, she should have the option. Prices should be based on supply and demand. Also, Huffington Post is not a reliable source. Referring to the “pink tax”, razors don’t have a gender, nor do colors. No one is forcing women to buy blue razors over pink. Come on, there are people being murdered in 3rd world countries, let’s all get out agenda straight. Period.

Okay, here’s what’s wrong with this. Look at your third sentence, and think about what’s going on in Hollywood currently. Enough said there.

For your “people being murdered in 3rd world countries,” this isn’t relevant to our everyday lives. This is.

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 11:42 am

Not only Hollywood, but every day for numerous reasons; lust, being drunk, etc.

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 1:28 pm

How is Huffington Post not a reliable source? You flat out say it’s unreliable and give no reasoning why. You go straight to “razors don’t have a gender”, as untrue as this may be. They are designed for either faces or for legs. Also, shouldn’t your Huffington complaints be posted on their website and not a high school’s glorified class project referencing it? In case you didn’t know, since the beginning of time, pink has been associated with females and blue with males. This isn’t anything new or exclusive to Huffington. You have a problem with it? Send an angry email to the Board of Color Association to get the world to stop thinking “girl” when they think “pink” and “boy” when they hear “blue” or vise versa.

Raniyah Naylor on
December 1st, 2017 8:04 am

I honestly applaud this entire article. Being a female is expensive and unfair. We are basically charged for something that we can’t control.

Caleb on
December 7th, 2017 11:46 am

Being a female is unfair. Its so nice that men die 11 times more on the job than women and nearly all of the military consists of men. Its so unfair that women take up less than 1 percent of all the hard dirty jobs in America.
I also love paying more taxes as a man. I feel so bad.

YOU CAN CONTROL WHETHER YOU HAVE SEX OR NOT. Its called abstinence.

Chris on
December 1st, 2017 8:17 am

Well I mean the money has to come from somewhere and it’s a foolish choice to compromise funding to something far more important than a thing that only women can utilize.

And “?” I did not say that people are getting shot in war because women want birth control I said that it would be wiser to use the money you want to take away for birth control to better protect our soldiers.
And quite frankly a lot of money is going to the homeless people of the United States. My grandfather and I were actually talking to Cheri Bustos about what’s being done about poverty and she said that more taxpayer dollars are going towards it than we know.

But forgive me I’m sure you know more about this then a United States Congresswoman

Henna on
December 1st, 2017 1:31 pm

Dude, soldiers will always get shot no matter what. No amount of money can stop that. Sure, bulletproof equipment might help the bullets do less damage, but guns and other firing weapons will be around and in use as long as humans are walking the Earth, possibly after.

прямой белый самец on
December 1st, 2017 6:04 pm

then put money into research for ballistic defense

(got you back chris)

-eli

Caleb on
December 7th, 2017 2:00 pm

good job 🅱

Anonymous on
December 2nd, 2017 12:20 am

What you’re saying is almost akin to arguing that girls are somehow “destined to be abused” and that no matter what some pervert is going to take advantage of them, so we might as well just never try. Stability will only come about in this world if we make it, and although it is hard, that isn’t a reason for not choosing it, as JFK once said about the missions to the moon. The same is true for this, as it is for anything.

Marine Corps on
December 4th, 2017 9:50 am

“Dude, soldiers will always get shot no matter what…”
Ok I’m just gonna take a second to sit you down and explain that soldiers are people in the U.S. Army, did you mean military personnel? Because if so, there are hundreds of MOS (job) options in the military, and only a fraction of them are combat-oriented. Take the Marine Corps, for example, only 30% of Marine Corps MOS’s are combat oriented, the other 70% are in support of that, meaning that ~70% of Marines aren’t going to get shot at.
Congratulations, you didn’t do any research whatsoever.

прямой белый самец on
December 4th, 2017 12:27 pm

THANK you

Caleb on
December 7th, 2017 7:22 pm

You frankly know nothing about what your talking about. Soldier fatality is so much more than getting shot. There is something called strategy and logistics, and that will mainly change everything, The point is growing the force to make it more powerful, the more advantage you have over an enemy the less casualties the military will face. DARPA is also very important in advancing the tech our forces use. Bottom line, those things cost money, and I would rather put my money towards our defenses than a privilege you think is a right.

darkstripe on
December 1st, 2017 2:03 pm

“the money has to come from somewhere”
again, concept: tax rich people more to help the lower classes and to get more money. how isn’t this more considered

прямой белый самец on
December 4th, 2017 12:28 pm

we’ve been doing that before this article even came out
and if you push it any farther that is communism/socialism

darkstripe on
December 4th, 2017 5:36 pm

i didn’t know a tax plan idea made me a communist! thanks for informing me

прямой белый самец on
December 5th, 2017 8:21 am

yeah, it does. we already get 74% of our taxes from the rich, if that’s now enough then what is? do you want to take money from them till they’re just like everyone else? because that’s communism, no rich, no poor, all are the same with no chance to rise up

прямой белый самец on
December 5th, 2017 11:00 am

and it’s not “a tax plan”, its YOUR tax plan, from YOU

The Woman on
December 1st, 2017 9:21 am

“…71% of lawmakers in the United States are male. Although sympathy is encouraged and welcomed, males cannot understand the side effects that come with having a uterus. Therefore, women’s healthcare shouldn’t be their decision. However, it continues to still be dictated by males. That must change.”

You don’t have to be the thing to explain or understand the thing. For example;
– A historian doesn’t need to be Asian to know about the history of Asia.
– A geologist doesn’t need to be a rock to explain how they are formed.
– You don’t have to be a Nazi to know Nazi ideologies.
– You don’t have to be a rapist to know what rape is.

Because of this, a man doesn’t need to be a woman to know about the female reproduction system is. 64% of gynecologists are male. This is not a bad thing, but you are making it seem like it’s inappropriate. Men also use birth contraceptives (condoms).

I can see why birth control is basic health care, but I think that there are more important things that the government should spend its money on. For example;

I think this is much more important. Woman in many other countries don’t even have access to these pills or any type of birth contraceptives unlike us, that should be the focus of this article, not the opinion that birth control should be free.

steven L on
December 6th, 2017 11:39 am

nice!

Junior w/ a Uterus on
December 10th, 2017 2:39 pm

I know I’m a little late, but I feel like we are straying very far from the purpose of this article, and I think many people are still misinformed on some of the true and real benefits that birth control has on a number of females.
I’m not here to argue about how taxes should be distributed or start a sexist debate, but I really just want to clear up confusion whether it be from ignorance or simple naivety.
I see many people making the argument that there are other medications such as Advil if you have cramps/ailments. I can assure you that even as a fellow birth-control recipient, I still have not seen any shortage of Advil and Tylenol in my life. However, these medications really don’t cut it when it comes to more serious problems. A very common reason for women going on birth control is due to the formation of cysts around their uterus/ovaries. These cysts can be extremely painful (if they rupture, they have the pain equivalent similar to that of a ruptured appendix). Now Advil is a quick fix for pain, but however successful it may be at soothing, it cannot solve an underlying issue- and there are numerous issues beyond the few that I mentioned.
I just wanted to clarify that though birth control IS a privilege, it is NOT merely a luxury item. It is a prescription that must be administered by a gynecologist and some women really do need it in order to function.
All in all, I think it is fantastic that we are covering more issues like this because it provides so much perspective on things that are sometimes seen as taboo or awkward. Keep it up!

целый энчилада on
December 13th, 2017 3:49 pm

I might not agree with you 100%, but I respect the way you came into the conversation a lot. You’re a good role model for others including myself.

An Adult, Proud You Guys Are Talking About This on
January 16th, 2018 2:27 pm

Mary & The Woman for Congress…. 100%

A lot of people missed the main point of this article (possibly because the article was written from a positional POV, thus opening debate up on one-too-many topics and weakening a very important point).

Laws in America should support easy, affordable access to necessary drugs. I say this again, so no one can misunderstand me; *EASY ACCESS* to commonly used drugs. If our administration allows businesses to cherry pick which common (let’s not forget, affordable) drugs their employees do and don’t have access to, where will that end? If we roll back these laws, businesses can deny access to more than just birth control, based on a variety of belief-based reasons. I think it’s safe to assume none of use wants that.

Take gender issues out of the argument for a second and think logically about a staunch Christian leader being able to pick and choose who gets access to what drugs? What if a Jehovah’s Witness owns the company? You definitely won’t have access to MANY life-saving medical techniques, like blood transfusions or Chemotherapy. You’ll pay out of pocket for all of those since it’s against Jehovah’s’ beliefs to intervene in God’s plan in very “unnatural” ways.

Some things *NEED* to be regulated by our government as the consequence of not, are disastrous.

Men who take umbrage with this article: Birth Control is basic need but not one I think people are asking “everyone else” to pay for. It’s simply something women should have easy, affordable access to. Many women **actually need** it to regulate their periods and to mitigate days worth of terrible pain. Think about your Moms dealing with terrible bloating, cramping and pain for days… Would you actually want her to “muscle through” if there were a much easier, affordable way? It’s nice to draw dividing lines between men and women until men realize there are many women they love dearly in their lives who they want the best life for, and women remember the same about men.

That said, leave the laws as they are and focus on more pressing topics. There are many.

Ben on
May 4th, 2018 7:40 am

abbey spittin truth

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